Pundit Says Mike Green Can Be Ravens’ First Franchise Edge Rusher Since Terrell Suggs
The Ravens didn’t just get one of the biggest draft steals when they selected Marshall edge rusher Mike Green in the second round at No. 59 overall, but they also may have gotten the franchise edge rusher they haven’t had since Terrell Suggs.
Being mentioned in the same sentence as Suggs, a likely Hall of Famer who played in Baltimore from 2003-2018, is high praise, but CBS Sports’ Mike Renner believes it’s an apt projection.
“I think so,” Renner said on “Glenn Clark Radio.” “I don’t see him really being limited, because he is so explosive, and his bend is so good, and he is so relentless as a pass rusher that I think he is just going to get it done. While he has a smaller frame, he’s also a very good run defender, too. I think that part of his game got underrated throughout the draft process. He’s a true every-down edge. I don’t think that’s even a debate in my mind.”
Renner said that after Abdul Carter, who was selected third overall by the New York Giants, Green has the highest floor of any pass rusher in this draft class.
“You’ve seen him put it into action already very consistently,” Renner said. “While I get the knock that he didn’t play great competition, he did play Virginia Tech this past season, he did play Ohio State. You flip on those films, he is the best defensive football player on the field in those games. And then you go to the Senior Bowl, and after two days he just walked off and didn’t play the rest of the time because he was already that good.
“He’s got high-end athletic tools and already has a number of moves at his disposal rushing the passer.”
The analytics support Renner’s opinion of Green. ESPN analytics writer Seth Walder projected Green’s sack total over the next three seasons to be second only to Carter among players drafted this year.